Apprentice Canine Carer
(Colchester Canine Creché)

A fantastic opportunity for someone who has a keen love of animals to become one of our Canine Carers, look after dogs and be part of a growing team in our custom-built facility.

You will have a natural affinity with dogs and obviously a dog lover!

You will most likely not have gained experience that will be that relevant, however we expect you to have at least walked a dog and know some basic commands. We do expect you to have an understanding of dogs and general behaviour, be confident in and around a group of dogs and have a positive attitude to join our team.

Duties include:

• Contribute to providing a caring, stimulating, and safe environment for all dogs.
• Must be confident in handling dogs of all ages and breeds.
• Ensuring a plentiful supply of water.
• Ensuring dog waste is removed immediately.
• Tending to the dogs thoughtfully, gently and with care.
• Feeding the dogs correctly (measured and on time).
• Dealing with any “special needs” dogs, i.e., older dogs or some on medication.
• Paying close attention to the notices regarding dogs’ status such as an injury, recent surgery, or allergy.
• Careful and efficient monitoring of any changes or differences in dogs’ behaviour/temperament/condition.
• Communicating and working with the team.
• Treating peers with respect.
• Supervision of mental and physical enrichment games and creating exciting new activities for all dogs to participate in.
• Supervising all activities including general play with toys and ensure the dogs interact with each other appropriately – intervention required when play is getting too boisterous or over exuberant.
• General cleaning duties, including hygienic cleaning of urine and faeces; also, cleaning tasks at the end of the day like hoovering, sweeping, mopping, polishing, washing up etc.
• All other miscellaneous duties that may occur on a day-to-day basis.
• Any other reasonable duties as per the needs of the business evolves.
• You will answer to and work directly with the Managing Director
• Ensuring dogs are happy and safe at all times.
• Keeping an open and honest dialogue with senior management.

Why should you apply for this apprenticeship?

• We have 3 team members that have completed this apprenticeship, all achieved a distinction, and all are still valued members of our team.
• Working with up to 40 dogs a day is very rewarding & unique experience.
• The opportunity to work with many different breeds of dog.
• Being apart of a welcoming and friendly team

Desired Skills and Qualities

• Be trustworthy and show good attendance in previous roles/school/college
• Reliable
• Compassionate
• Good Communication
• Flexible
• Hard Working
• Organised
• Ability to follow instructions.
• Enthusiastic
• Healthy and Active
• Happy and Outgoing
• Positive outlook
• Friendly
• Calm
• Composed
• Able to work in a small team and take responsibility.

Desired Qualifications

• Applicants must not already hold a level 2 or higher in animal care to be eligible.

Future Prospects

• An opportunity to stay a part of the team after qualification has been completed.
• Future learning and experience in all areas of the business including possible progression onto a Level 3

Training

• Full training to be provided by the employer and KEITS at the place of employment.
• The applicant will be working towards and a Level 2 Animal Care and Welfare apprenticeship.
• The learner will be allocated an industry specific training consultant who will provide both remote and on-site visit throughout the apprenticeship.
• The apprentice will work towards an End Point Assessment (EPA) at the end of their apprenticeship.

Things to Consider

• KEITS Training Services Ltd reserves the right to close the vacancy earlier than the listed closing date should the need arise.
• Applicants may not hear if they are unsuccessful due to the popularity of our vacancies
• To Apply click Apply for this Role and for our top tips on how to fill out your application form click here